Kevin Sutherland was right.
The Sacramento native said after Saturday's round that someone would have to "go low" on Sunday to break out of large group of players with a chance to win the U.S. Open.
Sutherland did his best, 4-under par at one point and only two shots off the lead. But, he couldn't sustain his momentum.
Jeff Maggert started the day tied for the lead, took sole possession early, and never let it go, shooting a 5-under 65 to post a total of 10-under par. It was good enough for a two-shot win over the defending champion, Colin Montgomerie.
In the post-tournament interview on Fox Sports, Maggert said 25 years of experience equipped him to handle the pressure of winning this week.
"It's been a great week. You have a great golf course. Really, really a great golf course. The weather was a little warm but we survived it. It was a great week. Thank you, Sacramento."
Grant Waite and Billy Andrade finished three shots back. Bernhard Langer and Lee Janzen were four back.
Sutherland, Tom Watson and Scott Dunlap tied for 7th at 5-under.
Sutherland said he felt good heading into the back nine.
"I played really well on the front nine. I hit every shot on the button," he said. "I just couldn't get to the 6 or 7-under number I needed" to catch the leaders."
Del Paso is his home course and the fans gave him rousing ovations every chance they got."How I played - putting that aside - just the way I was treated by the fans and galleries and the hometown people was just truly amazing,"he said.
Watson finished his final round the same way he finished Saturday's round - with a long putt for birdie that he punctuated with a fist pump.
"I'm pleased with the way I drove the ball" Watson said, "I putted very well this week. This putt was just the icing on the cake."
Watson will play the final British Open of his career in three weeks, "I'm looking forward to playing the old course (of St. Andrews) for the final time."
But, the course on display this week was Del Paso Country Club, which the players said presented a tough challenge without being unfair.
"The big winner this week was the golf course," says Sutherland. "I had a lot of guys come up to me and say they want to come back...just to play."
This was the fifth United States Golf Association major event held in the course's 100 year history.
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